What’s a “Dual Security License” for and Should I have One?

Advice for Private Investigators and Security Guards About a Dual Security License.

The Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA) regulates provincial private law enforcement. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) enforces the Act. Under the Act (PSISA), an individual can hold a Security Guard’s license. Likewise, one can hold a Private Investigator’s license. Some individuals will choose to apply for both a Security Guard and a Private Investigator license. That’s called “Dual Security License”.

What Can I Do With a Security Guard’s License?

Private security is one of the fastest growing professions in Canada. This industry is also seeing explosive growth worldwide. Depending on skill level, security guards can work in many areas of the economy. You are likely to see professional security guards in just about every shop and place of business you might go into. You can find them at schools and colleges. Security guards work at transportation hubs like bus and subway terminals. You will also find security guards working in Airports and train stations. Hospitals and health care facilities employ security guards. Everyplace where people might gather relies on security guards to provide safety and protection.

Types of Duties

Some security guards perform front-line duties and others work behind the scenes. Front line duties can include access control and security patrols.  They can include bomb detection, premises searches, escorting VIPs, crowd control and special events security.  Other guards might reduce commercial losses by detecting and even apprehending thieves.

Examples of work “behind the scenes” can include security control room operations. Security guards might scrutinize camera feeds or maintain complex data systems.  Guards might respond to alarms or analyze evidence. Guards might conduct systems checks or analyze property breaches.

First Requirement: Licensing

One commodity every security guard has in common is a license. Security guards must hold a provincial license to work in security. Qualifying for a security guard’s license is the first step to working in the private sector of law enforcement.

How to Qualify for a Security License

To qualify for a security guard’s license, one must complete basic training. Basic security training teaches skills needed to perform general security duties. These duties can include security site patrols and access control.  Other duties might require documenting events through incident and occurrence reports. Crowd management and emergency response procedures are key competencies for security guards. Guards must also understand appropriate use-of-force principles and the laws surrounding force. Professional guards work with a diverse population and must show sensitivity towards those they encounter.

Security guards must know Canadian laws and how to apply some of them. They should understand the Criminal Code as well as provincial property trespass laws. Security guards who work in entertainment venues must know liquor licensing laws. Security guards may be required to administer emergency first aid while awaiting first-responders and a basic knowledge of first aid is mandatory.

Basic Security Training

Basic security guard training starts with a Ministry-required program covering the basics. This course trains candidates in the necessary competencies held by a guard. In Ontario, basic training is 40 hours in length. Completing a basic security licensing course provides learners with a certificate of completion. From there, participants write a mandatory competency examination. After completing basic training and passing the examination, candidates apply for a license and can begin to work. Most professional guards will look for further training and advancement opportunities after they start working. Further training can sometimes be done in-house, or through accredited training providers.

How are Private Investigators Different from Security Guards?

Security guards are trained to respond to a problem when it arises. Their work is reactive. When something serious happens, like a breach or an occurrence, security guards must respond. An effective response will often mitigate or reduce the effect of a loss.

Private Investigators are Proactive

The role of a private investigator is farmore proactive than that of a security guard. A private investigator’s job is to look for problems early and help seek a solution before serious losses arise. By actively searching for information, private investigators help clients address losses at their source.

Work Variety

Work for a private investigator is often challenging and very diverse. Private investigators conduct field surveillance. They take photographs and present evidence through direct testimony or through video footage. They interview witnesses and take statements. Private investigators conduct insurance and corporate investigations. They might be instrumental in family law or domestic investigation cases. They might analyze evidence. They could conduct digital investigations or gather open source intelligence. In short, private investigators collect evidence and present that evidence to their clients.

Private Investigator License

A private investigator must hold a license to work as one. A private investigator’s license authorizes the license holder to legally conduct investigations, in accordance with governing legislation.  In Ontario, the Private Security and Investigative Services Act regulates the role of private investigators and the companies they work for.

How Does One Qualify for a Private Investigator’s License?

Private investigators must show that they have met certain expected skills and qualifications to work. These skills included an awareness of Canadian law and key pieces of legislation. Private investigators must understand ethical reasoning and must conduct investigations ethically. Private investigators should understand the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the rights afforded to an accused person in Canada. Basic investigation techniques, including surveillance, are necessary skills of a private investigator.

Important Qualities of a Private Investigator

A private investigator must possess certain natural skills and abilities. They must be tenacious. A private investigator should have dogged determination. A private investigator must be truthful, honest and incorruptible. Private investigators should be flexible enough to interact with people of varied backgrounds, yet determined enough to pursue their goal without equivocation.

Basic License Training

Private investigator licensing begin with basic training.  Basic private investigator training entails 50 hour training program focusing on key private investigation competencies.  These include understanding the nature of Canadian law. Investigators must also understand the distinctions between criminal law and civil law.  Civil law relates to monetary issues such as damages which might result from an accident or breach of contract. Criminal law deals with offences against others. Private investigators must learn to do basic research and collect evidence and information.  They must learn how to interview others and how to take accurate statements. They must understand how their roles differ from that of public police officers.  As well, they must appreciate what the private sector of law enforcement permits them to do.

Qualified private investigators can work for private investigation agencies. As well, they can be employed by law firms and insurance companies. They may work for various businesses, legal departments, process serving companies and skip tracers. Many corporations, both large and smaller may have an active investigation or fraud prevention department. These can include banks and financial institutions, transportation companies, research and development firms and giants of the digital sector.  With enough experience, some private investigators can become fully independent by operating their own businesses.

What About a Dual Security License?

A dual license holder has met at least the minimum licensing requirements mandated for both security guards and private investigators.  The candidate has demonstrated a capability by meeting basic competency levels in both areas, and has passed qualifying examinations in both disciplines.  As such, a dual license holder is equipped and qualified to carry out both security guard and private investigator roles.

While both sets of duties are separate, each will often enhance abilities within the other. For example, a qualified private investigator is likely to be a much better observer when it comes to issues such as detecting a perimeter breach.  A qualified security practitioner may naturally be more familiar with trespass laws and more adept at dealing with large groups of people.

Employment Avenues for Dual Security License Holders

We have recently conducted a review of related Ontario agencies currently licensed to provide services within the private sector of law enforcement.

Security Guard Companies

We found that approximately 30% of related employers are currently licensed to provide security services only. These security companies can range from those employing anywhere from a few security guards all the way to huge organizations who might employ hundreds and sometimes thousands of guards in different jurisdictions.

Companies of this sort often employ the guards found at entrances to residential complexes, in the lobbies of office buildings and working as site security in large manufacturing facilities.  In addition, employees of companies such as these may be assigned to provide special events security, executive protection, K-9 security and alarm response.

Private Investigation Agencies

About 45% of related Ontario employers are involved in providing only private investigation services. These employers range from small to medium sized businesses employing anywhere from a handful to a few dozen private investigators. They fill a niche within the law enforcement community by helping both individuals and organizations collect evidence and information which may not be easily available. By the very nature of their work, these investigators should not be easily recognizable to the general public.  Yet every day, these investigators are called upon to conduct a huge range of cases.  These can include insurance fraud and disability investigations, surveillance, corporate and undercover investigations, and a host of other types of cases.

Dual Security Licensed Agencies

At present, 25% of employers within our industry are ‘dual licensed’ agencies. These companies are licensed to engage in providing both private investigation and security guard services to their client.

Employees who work for a dual licensed agency have a great range of employment opportunities. There are opportunities for these dual licensed employees to take positions in either field. They can provide security services while also performing investigative assignments.

Being able to move from one field to the other can help keep their skillsets sharp while ensuring an unlimited work schedule.